Bloglander

It's 60%/40% happy/grim this week kiddos. Well, depending on your view of Woody Allen's late career stuff, could easily swing 40%/60%. Midnight in Paris is supposed to be more Vicki Cristina Barcelona than Curse of the Jade Scorpion, though, for what that's worth.

BLACK DEATH
The plague is ravaging cities and villages in 1348 England, and a band of nasty warriors (led by Sean Bean) is sent by the bishop to find out why one little hamlet remains pestilence-free. Well, maybe they’ve set a course to the place for a different reason. Joined by a young monk (Eddie Redmayne) as a guide, the motley group is always ready to take some mighty whacks with swords, axes, and maces, and they’re put through some creepy plot twists. Strong performances and production values, but kinda grim. (ES) Rated R | SHOWTIMES

IN A BETTER WORLD
In this Golden Globe- and Oscar-winner for Best Foreign Language Film, Dad's away in Africa dealing with the violence of tribal revenge, while back home in Denmark, his son is being bullied and pushed by his new friend into fighting back. While an impending divorce and a recent death cause additional complications, we're left to ponder if the boys have anything to teach their parents about breaking the cycle of revenge. (MB) Rated R | SHOWTIMES

JUDY MOODY AND THE NOT BUMMER SUMMER
With her oddball (but cool) Aunt Opal and pesky brother Stink, Judy concocts a summer-long scavenger hunt competition involving roller coasters, monster movies, elephant rides, the search for Bigfoot and a poop picnic. We're sure it'll be totally "thrill-a-delic and super-awesome." (MB) Rated PG | SHOWTIMES

MIDNIGHT IN PARIS
Woody Allen sends us a postcard from Paris. Standing in as the nebbish director, Owen Wilson works out his relationship problems with Rachel McAdams with the help of some time travel. We're looking forward to Michael Sheen (Frost/Nixon, The Queen) as a pretentious jerk. (MB) Rated PG-13 | SHOWTIMES

SUPER 8
In an old-style coming-of-age movie blended with sci-fi, director J.J. Abrams pays homage to executive producer Steven Spielberg by recalling all those broken families and extended shots of awestruck faces from Close Encounters and E.T. In 1979 Ohio, a bunch of young teens (with family and relationship problems) happen to film a late-night train wreck. And something really scary was on that train. (MB) Rated PG-13 | SHOWTIMES